Western Michigan defeated Denver 3-2 in double overtime, with Owen Michaels scoring the game-winning goal just 30 seconds into the second overtime period of the Frozen Four matchup.
Michaels’ goal propelled the Broncos to their first NCAA Championship game in program history, they will play the winner of Penn State and Boston U.
The game started with two periods of relentless attacking from Western Michigan, who looked like they would easily win after the second period. But Denver was able to scrap together two goals in the third period to send the game to OT.
WMU’s Alex Bump had several scoring opportunities in the game, as did Denver’s Zeev Buium, who nearly scored in overtime and played a strong defensive game.
While Western Michigan’s Hampton Slukynsky made crucial saves, it was really Denver’s Matt Davis that kept the Pios in the game. Davis made 44 saves over 80 minutes of playing time.
Recap the live updates, scores, and highlights from Denver vs. Western Michigan
THE BRONCOS ARE HEADED TO THE #MFrozenFour CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
Owen Michaels with the OT winner!#MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/eMzvYkuuWB
Only 30 seconds into double-overtime, Owen Michaels puts a goal in the net to end the game as Western Michigan heads to their first NCAA Championship game.
Twenty more minutes on the clock.
The first overtime was a breathtaking display of incredible pace and scoring chances for both sides. The game really seemed to open up, and you’d think that would favor Denver based on how the rest of the game went.
That said, many of the best looks came from Western Michigan.
These two teams played a double-OT NCHC final with WMU coming out on top.
Alex Bump (PHI) scored the winner in that one and had the puck an awful lot in the first overtime. They will certainly be looking for him.
Meanwhile, Denver’s Zeev Buium (MIN) has been on the ice a ton and has taken a beating, including a couple of hits to his legs. He’s hung tough, though.
There is so little separating these teams. They have excellent goalies and tremendous depth. This is going to be an incredible finish to an instant classic Frozen Four game.
More hockey incoming.
We might be headed for a second overtime.
Both teams are battling.
Zeev Buium has shown up in overtime, nearly putting the winning goal away before deflecting a puck at the other end that Alex Bump was trying his hardest to put in the net.
I am enjoying the hockey. Zeev Buium (MIN) nearly dances one right into the net and WMU almost gets a friendly deflection at the other end. Awesome OT.
There have been a few close calls for each team, chances that certainly could’ve ended the game.
It really is anyone’s game at this point.
Frozen Four overtime is chaos.
Alex Bump misses an open-net opportunity, the second time WMU has done that this game.
Alex Bump has had a few opportunities in overtime, taking two shots.
The Pios have not slowed down in overtime.
They’ve scored two unanswered goals since WMU last scored in the 2nd period.
With that said, if Western Michigan plays like they did earlier in the game, they can put this away.
The next goal wins.
We are heading to overtime, and if you watched the first 40 minutes of the game you wouldn’t think it was possible.
Denver chipped away, scoring two gritty goals off of broken plays and rebounds that got them back in it. Meanwhile, Western Michigan has to wonder where the relentlessness went because they weren’t as disruptive on the forecheck.
It seems like they got away from what worked for them through two periods and it came back to bite them. Zeev Buium (MIN) has been a monster in the game for Denver, but goalie Matt Davis has made 34 saves and is the only reason this game didn’t get massively out of hand when WMU was out-shooting DU 32-8 through two periods.
We’ll now go until someone scores. It could be a while.
Denver Pioneers score two goals in the third period
After review we have…A GOOD GOAL! Jared Wright shoves it home to tie it up with 2:39 left to go! #MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/Hs9psyXh7B
The puck squeezes in as Denver is tied at 2 with only 2 minutes left in the third period.
Jared Wright scores the goal, assisted by Eric Pohlkamp. This goal is being reviewed for goaltender interference.
After review, the goal stands.
If you want to get an idea of how things have changed, Western Michigan, after recording 32 shots in the first two periods, has only four shots in the third period.
Denver has the one goal on only 11 shots.
Let’s light the lamp 🚨#MFrozenFour x @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/XfSWqciN71
We’ve got a game, folks.
Let’s see what happens.
PIOS ON THE BOARD! Aidan Thompson gets one in the back of the net with 13:11 left in the third! #MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/bFuzznaSqe
Aidan Thompson makes it a one-goal lead for WMU.
Denver killed off the power play and then immediately got an opportunity to score.
Cale Ashcroft notches the assist.
Not Dead Yet. Denver gets one off a broken play as Aidan Thompson (CHI) collects his own rebound after a flubbed shot and pops it home. 2-1 WMU with 13:09 to play in regulation. #MFrozenFour
Two minutes for high-sticking on Denver’s Hagen Burrows.
WMU looking to put the game away during this power play.
Hampton Slukynsky has been tested more by Denver to start this third period than he has the entire game, and he’s shown up.
Matteo Constantini and Eric Pohlkamp both had solid shots, but the freshman goalie was able to make saves.
Denver has some work to do if they want to get to another NCAA championship game.
Western Michigan has been dominant in puck possession. Their forecheck is relentless, but they’re relentless everywhere on the ice. Their ability to swarm pucks has left Denver’s offense struggling. Western has a 32-8 shot advantage through two periods and Denver hasn’t been able to push back.
If not for Matt Davis, this game would be over.
Western Michigan’s game plan looks to be all about outnumbering pucks, forechecking hard and being relentless in all areas. This has been a clinic. The good news for Denver is that they’re only two goals back and have shown an ability to come back before. This third period should be a great one.
OH YEAH OWEN!#BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/ZxeOrYSER3
Denver managed only 5 shots in the second period.
Western Michigan is up 2-0 as we head into the second intermission.
MY OH MICHAELS! @michaels_owen makes it 2-0 for the Broncos with left in the second period! 🏇#MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/qide5vZwsY
Broncos continue to relentlessly attack, even during the penalty-kill. Washe and Bump nearly had a chance to score on breakaway opportunities.
WMU successfully kill the penalty.
Just a minute left in the second period.
Two minutes for hooking on Iiro Hakkarainen.
Pioneers get an opportunity to put in their first goal.
Owen Michaels puts a beautiful shot in the net, right past Matt Davis.
Denver coach David Carle was upset about a possible penalty no-call right before the goal.
Denver goalie Matt Davis has barely had a moment since this game began. WMU has been attacking nonstop.
Western Michigan is on the board. Brian Kramer walks in with a wide open look off the clean faceoff win and it’s 1-0 Broncos. He could have pulled out a lawn chair and read the paper front to back with how much time he had off the draw.
BUCKIN’ BRONCOS! Brian Kramer puts the Broncos on the board first! #MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/Ap8m6DITkF
Brian Kramer put the Broncos on the board.
Kramer scores off a pass from the faceoff.
Tim Washe, who won the faceoff, gets the assist.
Two minutes for holding on Samu Salminen
Western Michigan looked great in their first power play opportunity.
Western Michigan kills the penalty successfully.
Two minutes for slashing on Alex Bump.
Alex Bump gets a shot off against Denver within seconds of the second period beginning. The puck lazered into Matt Davis’ helmet, unbuckling it in the process.
Puck drops for the second period.
We’re tied up at 0.
One down, two to go.
It’s 0-0 after 1. Shots are 11-3 Western and that doesn’t include what I can only assume is a tremendous dent in the cross bar from Zach Nehring. What a crazy start to our first game.
Matt Davis has kept his team in the game as Western Michigan’s offense has been relentless.
Denver has yet to get in a rhythm on offense. Hampton Sluykynsky has been tested only once.
The Broncos came this close 🤏 to striking first but the iron was unkind#NCHChockey // #MFrozenFour https://t.co/IuJ6o8QDGy pic.twitter.com/PwK3inemBJ
Successful penalty kill by Denver. Goalie Matt Davis was huge as he was bombarded by shots from Western Michigan.
Two minutes for boarding on Denver’s Kieran Cebrian.
Up close and personal for puck drop 👀🎥#MFrozenFour pic.twitter.com/RY0iqbUTM9
The Broncos have two shots seven minutes into the first period.
The Pios have yet to get a shot off.
Denver goalie Matt Davis made a save, but the puck deflection led to an open-net opportunity that Western Michigan was unable to put away. The crowd audibly gasped.
Zach Nehring was the player with the shot. The puck ended up hitting the crossbar.
Gametime. Let’s go.
Here we go. Denver. Western Michigan. Puck is down. Winner goes for the championship Saturday. #MFrozenFour
All-Time Record
Largest Margin Of Victory
Last 10 Matchups
Pios have arrived. #GoPios #DUtoTheLou pic.twitter.com/7gchgjpSeh
Arrived.#BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/Y2B5AQ3ABy
The Denver vs. Western Michigan game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+ at 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 10.
Here’s the NCAA Hockey Tournament regional schedule and results.
Thursday, March 27
Friday, March 28
Saturday, March 29
Sunday, March 30
Thursday, April 10
Saturday, April 12
Western Michigan plays Denver in the NCAA Frozen Four today, April 10. Follow along for live updates from the game.
Denver takes on Western Michigan in the NCAA Frozen Four today, April 10. Follow along for live updates from the game.
Follow along for live updates, scores, and highlights from Denver vs. Western Michigan.
St. Louis will host the 2025 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four at Enterprise Center, the home of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues.
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